Curtain



M. DRUCK CURTAIN Filed Feb. 24, 1945 June 17, 1947.

Patented `lune 17, 1947 UNITED sTATEsvATENT orrlciig CURTAIN Maurice Druck, Long Beach, N. Y.

Application February 24, 1945, Serial No. 579,661

3 Claims. 1

This invention relates to an improved windo-w curtain and the like, and more particularly to a hem construction therein and the method of producing it.

The material from which the curtain, according to the invention preferably is made, consists of an open work web usually of somewhat lacy effect formed by what is known as leno-weave. The threads in this type of web are spaced apart sufciently so that fabric will not materially obstruct the vision.

A curtain fabric of this character is usually provided with a selvage along one edge which is stripped from the fabric and the fabric is then hemmed with this stripped edge doubled at the time of the hemming so that the marginal edge of the curtain has the appearance of being dcubled back, or in other words, there are twice as many warp threads in the doubled back portion, and there are four times' as many warp threads in the turned under stripped selvage edge as in the main body portion of the fabric. l

The curtain material is usually formed in the running length by a rotary knife cutting or stripping the selvages from the cloth and thereafter an operator sews by machine the hem with the doubled in raw edge.

Heretofore it has been the custom of providing a relatively wide hem along at least one of the vertical sides of the curtain. This hem is never less than 11A.; inch in width, but usually 3 to 5 inches in width. This minimum width is more or less necessary in order to have sufficient weight adjacent the edge to cause it to hang properly. This relatively wide hem is also desirable from the stand point of appearance.

On the other hand, this wide hem also has the disadvantage that it has a tendency to roll so that the edge of the curtain will present an undulating or wavy appearance which spoils the esthetic effect of the curtain no matter how well made it is. This undesirable effect is due to the somewhat distorted condition of threads after the cutting operation. Thus, when the edge is folded back, the threads will not run exactly parallel to one another and it is obvious that the wider the folded over` portion is, the greater is the distortion.

To the foregoing should be added the fact that the raw edge is stitched to the curtain web. Thus, along this particular portion there are four layers of fabric. When these four layers are switched to the web, it becomes unyielding along this portion when the curtain is hung. Whereas, the free hanging portions have a tendency to sag.

2. This tendency naturally increases the undesirable wavy edge effect.

Another disadvantage inherent in the conventional hems resides in the amount of fabric required and this is an important factor during the present period of shortage of material.

It is therefore among the objects of the present invention to provide a curtain possessing improved hanging qualities with a reduced amount vof material.

Another object is to provide a hem effect of pleasing and artistic appearance possessing all the mechanical advantages of the conventional wide hem but not the disadvantages, having regard particularly to the wavy or undulating edge.

Still a further object is to provide a method of producing this hem effect without any distortion of the fabric.

Other objects and advantages inherent in the invention will become apparent from the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawing which disclose by way of example a preferred embodiment.

In the drawing:

Figure l is a perspective view of a pair of curtains draped before a window.

Figure 2 is a fragmentary plan View of a curtain according to the invention, drawn to a somewhat enlarged scale, and

Figure 3 is a section taken along the line 3--3 of Figure 2.

In terms of broad inclusion the invention contemplates the combination of a pleat and hem, the pleat being spaced a distance inside the line of stitching for the hem.

Referring in greater detail to the drawings, the curtains are generally indicated at I0 which usually are hung upon a rod beneath a valance or the like and may be partly framed by a pair of drapes II.

As previously indicated the web I2 of the curtain consists of a mesh or what is commonly known as leno-weave. In making up the curtains, the marginl portion of the web is folded over and is stitched to the web to provide a hem I3. The stitching line is indicated by the reference character I4. The width of this hem should not exceed 3A of an inch, but it may be made narrower and best results have been found by making the width 1/2 inch.

Simultaneously with the hemming operation, a pleat I5 is formed in the web I2. This pleat is stitched to the web along the stitching line IB. In the embodiment shown, the pleat or tuck is folded towards the hem I3, but it Will be understood that it may also be folded away from the hem Without departing from the invention.

For best results, the stitching line I6 of the pleat l should be spaced about 1% inches from the stitching line Id of the hem and the width of the pleat should be the same as the width of the hem. In other words, it should preferably by .1/2 inch wide but should not exceed 3A of an inch in width. Further, the tuck or fold of the pleat should be left unstitched to the web, so

as not to restrict the threads of the web unnecessarily from adjusting themselves to their natural hang It will thus be seen, that instead of concentrating the entire weight of the hem along the margin-al edge, it is broken up into two parts, and

it has been found that the pleat spaced a distance from the hem inside the curtain has the effect of preventing the hem from rolling.

The narrower width of the hem as Well as of the pleat in comparison with the hem in the conventional curtains also leaves the threads of the curtain web a greater freedom to adjust theme selves to their natural hanging position so that the curtain according to the invention practically eliminates distortion and puckering.

Because of the delicate nature of the web. and the open work mesh, it is also important that the hem and the pleat and the stitching lines I4 and I be formed simultaneously so that the hem as well as the pleat will-be. formed under aneven pull. This isy usually done on a conventional sewing machine. If these two. operations are performed individually, there is. great likelihood of the pull being uneven, and thus the pleatl will become distorted with respect to the hem or vice Versa.

If desired, the bottom edge of the curtain may also be provided with a similar hem and pleat', I3' and I5', although. this is of less importance as there is less tendency towards distortion because of the Weight of the web.

It will be understood that this description is Y Vfolded back over itself and stitched to form a hein, and a pleat parallel to said hem formed in said curtain at a spaced distance from said hem, said pleat being stitched to saidcurtain adjacent one side of the pleat so' as toV leave the folded over portion free of said curtain.

3. A regulation style elongated netted curtain, at least one vertical edge of said net being folded back over litself and stitched to form a hem, and f a pleat parallel to said hem formed in the net at a spaced distance rfrom said hem, saidv pleat being stitched to said net adjacent one side ofthe pleat so as to leave the folded over portion free of said net, the rows'of stitching being Yrun respectively through the hem and the pleat simultaneously and from a single stitching machine thereby providing uniform spacing between the rows vof stitching and inhibiting distortion of the pleat` with respect to the hem or vice versa.'V

MAURICE DRUCK.

REFERENCES CITED.

The following references are of Vrecord in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Y Number l Name` y Date.

1,426,892 McCoy Aug. 22, 192,2 648,760 Kolb V V ..v May l, 1900' 

